When I was younger I was hit in the mouth and it caused my front tooth to become a yellow brownish color. My dentist said that the tooth no longer has a root and the only way to fix this is to get a dental implant. That is really expensive. Unfortunately, several other teeth have problems as well. Some of my back teeth need fillings. Additionally, I’m in need of a dental crown. My money is limited. Is there any way to fix the teeth that need help as well as fix my ugly brown tooth?
Penny
Dear Penny,
I’m glad you wrote. I’m going to be blunt that you are not with the best dentist. I think you would be better served elsewhere. The trauma to your tooth severed the nerve and blood supply to your tooth. When that happens the tissue inside your tooth dies, then becomes infected.
While root resorption can happen even with treatment, if your tooth had received a root canal treatment at the time of the trauma, there is a possibility it could have been preserved. Now that your tooth has no root, there is no way to save it. The only way to “repair” that tooth in a way to make it beautiful is to replace it. While that part which your dentist told you is true, he or she was under an ethical obligation to give you all of your options. They did not do that.
There are three basic options for replacing a tooth. A dental implant is only one of them. It is the best one, but it is also the most expensive. The second best option is a dental bridge. You mentioned that one of your other teeth needs a dental crown. If the crown is adjacent to the brown tooth, then it would make more sense to get a dental bridge anyway. This puts a crown on either side of the extracted tooth and then suspends the false tooth between it.
Your next best option is a removable partial denture. This will work, but as the the name implies it is removable and will move a bit. Even less expensive will be a dental flipper. That is designed to be temporary. It is useful if you are using it while you save up for a better option.
Because you are dealing with a front tooth, you want to make sure that the dentist who is working on your false tooth is an expert cosmetic dentist. This way it can blend in naturally with the rest of your teeth. I would look for an AACD accredited dentist.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.